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Jeannette asked: How can I kill mold on paneling? I have white, fuzzy mold on my bedroom paneling. How do I kill it?
When mold starts to grow on walls, it is important to find the source. Many times, there is a moisture source behind the walls, and the mold is much worse at the source. Here is a method to remove the mold from the surface until a more permanent fix can be completed.
You Will Need:
- Bleach
- Water
- Bucket
- Soft cloths
- Vacuum with attachments
Steps to Remove the Mold:
- The fuzzy mold on the surface is mildew. The white fuzz forms when wood or cardboard is exposed to moisture.
- Begin by vacuuming the surface with the attachments. This will remove the loose spores.
- Next, mix one part bleach with four parts water in a bucket.
- Moisten a cloth with the mixture.
- Wring the cloth out well, you don’t want to over-saturate the wood paneling.
- Wipe the surfaces of the paneling with the bleach and water. The bleach will kill the mold on the surface.
- Follow with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.
- Until the source of the moisture and mold is found, the mildew and mold will continue to appear on the surface. Clean regularly.
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Additional Tips and Advice
- If the paneling becomes saturated with moisture, it can warp or wrinkle as it dries. Use only a small amount of moisture.
- The only true way to remove the mold is to replace the paneling. However, the method above will help remove the mold spores from the living area until this can be done.
- If possible, use a vacuum with a filter, such as a HEPA filter that will keep the mold spores from being redistributed into the room. Remove the contents of the vacuum and dispose of them immediately after cleaning.
The above advice is incorrect Jeannette. Bleach does not kill mold. Bleach will change the color of mold, but will not kill the mold’s roots. Bleach is 99% water and 1% chlorine. You would actually be feeding the mold by using bleach.
You have two options; if you have mold on paneling, remove and replace your paneling or you can remove the mold, (depending on the extent) by using full strength hydrogen peroxide, or sodium chloride. If you do the later, you may run the risk of damaging the paneling, so test a spot first.